Here we are with another weekly NFL Playoffs picture, and the Los Angeles Rams are still entrenched in the same spot as what seems like forever now.
The Rams have done themselves no favors as they lost three straight games before finally getting on track last week with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the desert of Arizona this week the Rams will look to exact some revenge on the NFC West leaders in the Arizona Cardinals, and also some much needed ground on the possibility of retaking the division lead.
The Playoff hunt has remained largely the same — however, there are a couple of surging teams that have now crept into the remaining wild card spots. I will discuss the most important games this week as the NFC playoff sports are nearing their final shape.
NFC Playoff Picture
1. Arizona Cardinals: 10-2
2. Green Bay Packers: 9-3
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-3
4. Dallas Cowboys: 8-4
5. Los Angeles Rams: 8-4
6. Washington Football Team: 6-6
7. San Francisco 49ers: 6-6
Current Matchup: Los Angeles Rams @ Dallas Cowboys
As it stands, the Los Angeles Rams would play the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL playoffs. As it stands, that seems like the most likely scenario in the wild card round. However, the Washington Football team controls its own destiny. Its possible that they could surprise and take over the fourth seed.
Week 14 Games To Watch
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Football Team
If this would have been an early season matchup, you probably wouldn’t have batted an eye at this one. In fact, the Dallas Cowboys were at one point one of the hottest teams in all of football.
Now sitting at 8-4, the NFC East crown which was once a cake walk for the Cowboys has now been turned on it’s heels. The team guilty of this change is the Washington Football Team.
Currently riding a four-game winning streak, with one of those wins over the Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just maybe Washington is for real.
The fact this is a home game for Washington may play a large role in pulling off another upset, and would put them only one game behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race.
The Cowboys have been inconsistent as of late, but have also been without many key players due to injury and COVID-19 issues within the roster and organization. They should be at nearly full strength in this contest as they look to keep their lead in a divisional race that is now wide open.
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
We can call this one the “battle of the bubble.” Both of these NFC South teams seem to live on the playoff bubble week-to-week. Both sitting at 5-7, the winner of this matchup will be close to, or can take a step towards a wildcard spot in the NFL Playoffs despite their up-and-down season.
It is hard to call this one, with both teams enduring a bit of an identity crisis this season. The Falcons will come into this game led by quarterback Matt Ryan - who honestly is not the player he once was, but against such an inconsistent team in the Carolina Panthers, maybe this being solid is enough to pull off a victory.
The Panthers thought bringing back the most successful quarterback in this history would lead to some success — however, this has not been the case as the return of Cam Newton has looked like a terrible idea. The Panthers on paper have a more talented roster than the Falcons, but with Newton starting at quarterback, this basically eradicates that truth.
San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals
What any Rams fan hates to see is a game that has NFL playoff implications for a rival. But here we are in Week 14, and the San Francisco 49ers are right in the thick of the NFL playoff hunt.
The 49ers had one three straight games prior to losing a closely contested game with the Seattle Seahawks last week. And even with the loss, are still in the middle of the playoff hunt.
This is bad news for the Rams, considering if the 49ers continue to taste victory, they currently hold the tie breaker over the Rams. To make matters even worse, the 49ers will travel to Los Angeles for the season finale. And no matter the 49ers record, the location — Rams coach Sean McVay just can not seem to figure out how to overcome this franchise.
The Bengals will be a huge test for the 49ers as they posses a very potent offense. Look for quarterback Joe Burrow to routinely test the 49ers secondary as he has a slew of talented receivers at his disposal.
Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Looking at this game before the season started, you would say this contest would possibly be one of the best all season. However, the Buffalo Bills have not lived up to the hype.
A franchise that was considered one of the AFC favorites has been up-and-down and barely in the playoff mix at all. They have horrendous losses on their resume which even includes a 9-6 embarrassment to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hopefully a win in this tough matchup can regain their confidence and build towards a high seed in the playoffs.
The Buccaneers on the other hand do not seem to have much to worry about. At 8-4, they more than likely will win the NFC South with ease as the teams below them continue to fight for mediocrity. The Buccaneers do need this victory though to ensure a larger gap in not only their division, but to rise towards a higher seed in the NFL Playoffs.
Although the Bills have been a mixed bag this season, this one should still be one of the best matchups in Week 14.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
No one forgets earlier in the season when after scoring a touchdown, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers exclaimed to the Chicago crowd “I still own you.”
In fact Aaron is not completely wrong there, as the Bears have continuously faltered at the feet of their divisional rival. And with a game at Lambeau Field and the Packers fighting to get the top seed in the NFC, it seems like the odds should surely favor Green Bay.
The Chicago Bears at 4-8 are just not a good team this season, and a lot of this can be shouldered on the fact they are led by a rookie quarterback in Justin Fields who may not have been ready to be thrown into immediate game action.
Look for the Packers to not only “own” the Bears again in this one, but try and close the gap on the NFC leaders in the Arizona Cardinals.
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